The Northern
California International is shaping up to be one of the strongest tournaments
recently held in the US. The field will include ten GMs, three of whom are
rated at least 2650, along with eighteen IMs, so the competition should be
extremely fierce.

The event should also be somewhat unique for having a much larger overall
percentage of high rated players than the vast majority of US events. With
about half the field rated at least 2350 FIDE, heavyweight clashes should start
early on. This will also ensure the event has a much higher
average rating than most tournaments which should make norm opportunities
plentiful for those pursuing them, and with the event now also having twenty
one players of non-US Federation, it has reached the "Super Swiss" status.

This will completely relieve the usual
requirement that so often plagues players in US events of needing to play at
least four foreigners in nine rounds to be eligible for a norm.
There is still time to sign up if you would like to take part in the
event. Anyone interested should contact
organizers Arun Sharma and Ted Castro. Spending New Year's in the San Francisco area should also make
for a great experience along with the tournament. But we are less than a one month away so plan soon if you would
like to play.